Latest news with #NationalWarDeadPeaceMausoleum
Yomiuri Shimbun
5 days ago
- General
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan's Emperor, Empress, Princess Aiko Commemorate Victims of World War II Sinking; Nearly 1,500 Lost in Attack on Evacuation Ship
The Yomiuri Shimbun From left, the Emperor, the Empress and their daughter Princess Aiko offer flowers at the memorial for victims of the sinking of the Tsushima-maru evacuation ship, on Thursday in Naha. NAHA — The Emperor, the Empress and their daughter Princess Aiko visited the memorial for the Tsushima-maru, an evacuation ship carrying hundreds of children that was sunk by a U.S. submarine during World War II, in Naha on Thursday. It was the second day of their visit to Okinawa Prefecture, made as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. The family approached the Kozakura no To memorial at about 10:30 a.m. and bowed deeply. They presented white flowers, including easter lilies. They also looked around the exhibits, including photographs and personal belongings of the deceased, at the adjacent Tsushima-maru Memorial Museum. The Tsushima-maru sank off Akusekijima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture due to a torpedo attack by a U.S. submarine, as it was heading toward Nagasaki Prefecture in August 1944. According to the museum, 1,484 of the 1,788 people aboard died. The deaths included 784 students. The Emperor and the Empress on Wednesday evening released their thoughts on the first day of their visit, including the National War Dead Peace Mausoleum. They conveyed through an aide that they would remember the victims of the Battle of Okinawa and the people who were forced to endure hardships caused by the war. The Imperial couple also said they 'want to carry the value of peace in our hearts and renew our resolve for peace.'
Yomiuri Shimbun
6 days ago
- General
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Japan's Emperor, Empress, Princess Aiko Visit Okinawa Pref. To Commemorate War Dead; Visit Marks 1st Since October 2022
The Yomiuri Shimbun The Emperor, the Empress and Princess Aiko arrive at the Okinawa Peace Hall in Itoman, Okinawa Prefecture, on Wednesday. NAHA — The Emperor, the Empress and their daughter Princess Aiko began their visit to Okinawa Prefecture on Wednesday to commemorate the war dead as this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. This is the first time for Princess Aiko to visit the prefecture. The family arrived in Naha and traveled by car to Itoman in the prefecture. They offered flowers at the National War Dead Peace Mausoleum and were to visit the Cornerstone of Peace, where names of the war dead are engraved. The family also was to visit the Okinawa Prefectural Peace Memorial Museum where they would look at exhibits and meet with war veterans and bereaved families of the war dead. They were also to meet young people engaged in activities to continue telling stories from the war. On Thursday, they will visit Naha to offer flowers to the memorial for victims of the sinking of the Tsushima-maru student evacuation ship, and meet with survivors and bereaved families of the victims at the adjacent Tsushima-maru Memorial Museum. The family will also visit the main building of Shuri Castle, which was destroyed in a fire in 2019. Work to restore the building is currently underway. This is the third visit to Okinawa by the Emperor and Empress and the first since October 2022. The trip also marks the seventh visit to the prefecture by the Emperor, who first traveled there when he was still known as Prince Hiro. The family will return to Tokyo on Thursday.
